France wary of wounded Ireland pride
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France, tantalizingly close to a World Cup berth after a precious 1-0 win in Dublin, are wary of an Ireland backlash in the return leg of their playoff in Paris on Wednesday.
A heated exchange on the Croke Park pitch after Saturday's first leg and media reports of a pre-match rift in the France camp have contributed to a strained atmosphere in the build-up to the Stade de France showdown.
Both incidents were played down by a France side aware that Ireland are famous for their fighting spirit and not taking anything for granted.
"All that should not be turned into a polemic," France defender Patrice Evra said. "The return leg will be tense enough without it. We have woken up Ireland's pride."
France midfielder Lassana Diarra was seen squabbling with Richard Dunne and Keith Andrews after fulltime and Andrews was later quoted as saying he had been insulted by Diarra.
"It was nothing, it often happens at the end of a match," Diarra said. "I didn't say anything (to Andrews). The Ireland players were frustrated, that's all."
France coach Raymond Domenech, who does not mind a dose of controversy, shrugged off suggestions he had an argument with captain Thierry Henry before Saturday's match, saying the pair just had a normal conversation.
His Ireland counterpart Giovanni Trapattoni will hope his side can keep the aggregate margin to a goal into the second half and bank on it taking whatever late chance may fall its way.
Intent not to dwell on a couple of good first-leg opportunities not taken, the Italian coach chose instead to focus on France's penetrable defense.
"France can concede a goal," Trapattoni said. "They scored 18 in their group matches but they conceded nine and that's enough."
Trapattoni's hopes have been boosted by the news that France's Eric Abidal has pulled out injured, meaning Sebastien Squillaci should be paired with William Gallas in central defense.
However, Ireland's away record is not encouraging, having last upset a higher-ranked team in qualification 22 years ago when they beat Scotland 1-0 in Glasgow en route to their first international tournament - the 1988 European Championship.
Despite playing little in the way of attacking football during their unbeaten group campaign this time out, Ireland only failed to score in home and away games with Montenegro, the second of which was a final-day dead rubber.
"We have scored away too," Trapattoni said. "Not as many as them, sure, they have many strikers but it is possible."
The Irish boss wasted little time after Saturday's first leg to confirm that, injury permitting, he favored starting the same 11 and, with a clean bill of health, he looks likely to again name Liam Lawrence ahead of Aiden McGeady on the right wing.
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